13. TED
13
TED
W hat the fuck? A crotch sniffer?
The silver-haired ankle-biter continued, her eyes flashing as she leaned forward, her voice a low growl.
“You have some bloody front, mate. What the hell are you doing here?” Her bangles clinked together as she wagged her finger in my direction.
I finally glanced at the woman, recognising her as the girl at the festival with my Adele.
Orion.
I smiled at her, her silver hair gleaming under the soft lights.
“Nice to see you, too, Orion. It’s been a while,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions brewing inside me. I let my gaze drift to Adele, her eyes wide and filled with surprise and something else—something that made my heart pound in my chest like a drum.
The scent of her perfume reached me, a sweet and intoxicating blend of vanilla and chocolate that sent a wave of nostalgia crashing over me. It was the same scent that had lingered on my clothes after our night together and haunted my dreams for the past decade.
“I’m here on business, but I’m glad I saw you, Adele,” I stated, my voice low and sincere. I jutted my thumb behind me, gesturing to the table of businessmen watching us with amusement.
Adele’s eyes flickered with emotion when I addressed her, and I swallowed down the nerves that took over me. She had that ability—to render me wordless with one look, one touch. It was a power she didn’t even know she possessed.
“Nice to see you, Ted, but if you’ll excuse us—” Adele began, her voice barely above a whisper. She wavered slightly on her feet, and I used the opportunity to my advantage, steadying her by cupping her elbow in my hand. Her skin was warm and soft beneath my touch, sending electricity through my veins. She looked up at me, her eyes scanning mine, and I reached up to brush her cheek with my fingers, unable to resist the pull between us.
Orion cut her off, tugging Adele away from me. “She said excuse us, are you deaf? Bloody men think they can control everything. I’m not having it; first, he fucks off after taking your?—”
“Orion!” Adele hissed, lifting her brows in horror. “Stop saying that!”
I was puzzled until Adele met my gaze, her eyes rolling as if it didn’t matter. But it did. It mattered more than she could ever know.
“What does she mean?” I asked quietly, my heart pounding as the reality of my actions all those years ago suddenly hit me like a freight train.
Adele looked like she was going to murder her friend, but then the penny dropped.
“That memorable, was it?” Orion called, shaking her head. “Quite the lover.”
Oh, no. I’d taken her virginity and fucked off.
“I swear, I looked for you. I’m sorry, I had no idea—” I blurted.
“It’s fine.” Adele looked like she would die of embarrassment, but then a smooth voice interrupted our tense exchange.
“Teddy, who is this fine specimen?” A hand clapped on my back, and I turned to see Phillip Drayton, his eyes locked onto Adele with an intensity that made my blood boil. “I’m Phillip Drayton, and you are...?”
Adele gave him a sweet smile, nodding her head. “Adele.”
Phillip kissed her hand, his charm oozing from every pore. “No ring? Tell me, beauty, are you single?”
I gritted my teeth, trying to keep my composure as Adele nodded. “I am.”
Why did it feel wrong to hear her say that?
“Well then, I must ask if I can buy you a drink. Your friend, too, if she’s accepting?” Phillip requested, turning to Orion.
Orion lifted the bottle of wine from the table, nodding. “Good man! We’ll have another bottle of whatever this is, thank you muchly.”
As Phillip and Orion made their way to the bar, I turned my attention back to Adele, my heart thudding in my chest.
“Adele, look at me,” I urged, moving closer to her. Our fingers brushed against each other, sending a spark of electricity between us.
Adele jumped back like she’d been electrocuted, but I persevered.
“I’m leaving Elena.”
Adele’s eyes widened, her breath hitching in her throat. “Why?” she breathed, reaching out to steady herself in the plush armchair.
“Shall we sit?” I gestured to the seats, and she sank into one, nodding faintly.
I sat down beside her, the scent of her perfume enveloping me like a warm embrace.
“I’m leaving her because I can’t stop thinking about you,” I confessed, my eyes locked onto hers. “And if you’re not interested in me, I don’t care. I’m still leaving her.”
Two weeks of staring at a hotel wall night after night had made me see things differently. How could I marry someone who I didn’t even like that much? Sure, we got on okay, but we had nothing in common. Not anymore.
Adele blinked, tears welling up in her eyes. My heart sank, guilt beating my chest like a drum.
“You’re leaving her for me?” Adele questioned, her voice barely a whisper.
“It’s not just that,” I responded with a grimace. “I mean, you’re stunning, inside and out, and I want to get to know you—I want to know everything about you.” I ran a hand through my hair and added, “But I’m not happy with Elena, Adele. I haven’t been for a while.”
Adele nodded, and as she went to say something else, Orion and Phil dropped two trays onto the table between us. Orion sat beside Adele, checking to see if she was okay. Her gaze turned to me, and she pointed a bright yellow talon in my direction.
“Have you upset her?” Orion demanded, her voice like thunder.
“No, he hasn’t,” Adele stated, rising to her feet.
Fuck, she’s leaving.
But she didn’t.
She came and sat next to me.
I moved up, but she put her hand on my knee, holding me in place. I could barely breathe, especially when she reached to cup my face.
“Get to know me then,” Adele breathed, reaching for her glass. “Before I get too drunk to speak rationally.”
I grinned, butterflies unleashed in my stomach when she looked at me, her eyes searching mine.
Orion and Phillip were deep in conversation, albeit probably forced, but I turned my attention to Adele, gazing at her mouth.
“Do you still like to dance like no one is watching?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Adele laughed, tilting her head. “No, not anymore. I’ve got zero coordination.”
“You do; I remember it well.” I winked. “You drink wine now.” I nodded at the glass in her hand.
Adele nodded, holding up the glass innocently. “I’m classy.”
I had to fight the urge to drag her towards me when she bit her lip, dropping her gaze from mine.
“You’re even more beautiful than I remember,” I blurted out, unable to contain my adoration for her. “I can’t believe you’re single, and we’re sitting here now...like this.”
I reached out for her hand, and to my surprise, she let me take it, shuffling closer to me on the sofa.
“I thought you were a dream, you know.” I lifted her hand to my lips, kissing each knuckle as she shivered, her legs clamping together. “I would see you in my dreams, and as the years went by, I wondered if I’d made you up. You were so perfect. You still are.”
“I dreamt about you, too. I used to think I’d see you in busy shopping centres,” Adele mused, allowing her hand to rest in mine.
Holding Adele’s hand felt like the most natural thing in the world.
“I used to imagine you’d come up for the day, shopping or something, and our eyes would meet...” Adele’s voice trailed off as she shook her head.
“Like this?” I tilted my head to meet her gaze, and she rolled her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Then what?” I pressed, my thumb circling the soft part of her palm. “Tell me, Adele.”
Adele blushed, giving her hair a quick tuck behind her ear. “I can’t tell you the rest.”
“No?” I smirked, edging closer to her. “I bet I can guess it.”
“Is that a challenge, Ted?” Adele asked, her voice laced with amusement.
“Yeah. It is. If I guess your dream right, I win. If not, you win,” I offered, aware our hands were still entwined.
“What do I get if I win?” Adele demanded to know, leaning forward with interest.
“Whatever you want.” I shrugged, grinning from ear to ear.
This girl.
“And if you win?” Adele looked at me expectantly.
“Whatever I want.”